Reasons Holiday Seasons Bring Depression to Seniors
Holidays are supposed to be the most wonderful moments of the year. But older people often find their thoughts gravitating towards memories of their youthful days and end up falling into a state of depression. 
So, the holiday season becomes a source of blues as they think about how quickly time has moved. They may feel alone as they reminisce about the good days they used to spend with family members who have passed on. It also becomes hard to keep up with relatives who have moved far away due to jobs and other life obligations. following such families is not easy due to financial or physical limitations. The results are feelings of alienation and loneliness during a time that is supposed to be filled with exciting activities and family traditions. Even though the feeling of nostalgia is normal, most seniors tend to accept and continue living in their depressed state.
Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD occurs during specific times of the year and may go away thereafter. It can be accompanied by depression, change in mood, or too much sleep. The symptoms of depression can be critical but they normally remit after the season. This can happen to anyone including the seniors. Many times, the elderly lose interest in things they used to enjoy. They also struggle with sadness and hopelessness. Getting through the days seems harder especially if they live alone.
Symptoms of Holiday Season Depression in the Elderly
While holiday blues are mild and temporary, depression can linger if the right help is not administered. 
The signs of elderly depression include prolonged sadness, irritable mood, loss of interest in social activities, change in appetite and weight, anxiety, frequent crying, sleeping disorders, restlessness, neglecting personal hygiene, unexplained pain, suicidal thoughts, lack of concentration, fatigue, slow speech, memory issues, alcoholism and drug abuse among others.
Possible Causes of Depressing Among Older People
As people age, significant life changes occur which can trigger anxiety. There are many factors that can lead to this state of mental health. Loss of loved one, poor diet, change in routine, loneliness, and fear are some of the causes. Depression can also result from medical complications such as chronic pain, loss of memory, thyroid disorders, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer, multiple sclerosis and so on. Medical conditions can affect the mental health of an aged person directly or through a psychological reaction to the situation. Painful illnesses are especially life-threatening as they make depressive symptoms more severe.
Depression vs. Dementia
Not so many people understand the difference between these two health issues. The main problem is that they seem to have almost the same symptoms. In medical terms, depression is a state of rapid mental decline. A depressed individual is very much aware of their environment, date, and time. However, their motor skills can slack up and may have impaired memory and concentration.
Dementia, on the other side, is a slow mental decline accompanied by confusion. The patient may not recognize familiar faces and places. Loss of memory is not really a symptom of dementia. But the most impaired functions are motor skills, speech, and writing skills.
Only a physical exam by a qualified practitioner can tell whether a patient is suffering from depression or dementia during a holiday season. Caretakers of elderly persons know when it is time to seek help from a geriatric specialist. This is a medical practitioner who diagnoses the aged with common illnesses such as depression.
Ways to Help a Loved One Cope with Depression During the Holidays
Family members or primary caregivers of a depressed elder must be fully involved in the lives of their loved ones. 
Generally, old people deny their mental illnesses or any psychological issues they might be undergoing. This makes it more difficult for the people around them to know what is going on. To make an aged parent feel the magic of a festive season, there are a few things that can be done to make them feel loved.
Making Gifts
There are many fun gifts that can be created, for instance, during a Christmas party. Pinterest offers some easy crafts and interesting projects for gifting the aged. The gifts will show how much the old ones are loved and not forgotten.
Baking Holiday Cookies
Cookies are perfect goodies to give to elderly neighbors and friends. Everyone bakes cookies differently. It would be wiser to choose healthier ingredients for old people.
Listening to the Aged
An aged person needs a good ear. This encourages them to pour out their heart and their deepest concerns. It is good to acknowledge their situation and try to get into their shoes. The important thing is to understand how they feel.
How an Elderly Can Cope With Holiday Depression
It is difficult for a depressed elder to motivate themselves every day. In severe cases, they feel worthless and might even contemplate suicide. Nonetheless, there are a few activities that can help put off such thoughts.
Going to a Place of Worship
Religious places are filled with activities, particularly during the festive seasons. Churches, for instance, need volunteers to make Christmas decorations. December is also a perfect time to join Jewish members celebrating Hanukkah in the temple.
Exercising
While most elderly are physically unable to do certain workouts, simple exercises like walking in the neighborhood can help. With time, it becomes easier to do more complicated exercises. The activity is even more enjoyable when an elder is accompanied by a family member or friend.
Traveling
Upon retirement, many parents find themselves alone since their kids have already built their own homes. A holiday season is a perfect time for the aged to visit their children and see different places. It is also great to book a vacation to a new environment or take a long weekend trip to a nearby state. Traveling must not always be extravagant, considering the financial situation after retirement. Even taking a nature walk in a nearby park or beach would be a good idea.
Shopping
Aide helping sick elderly woman to drink in bed..
Shopping during the festive season is so exciting. It can be time-consuming but having a companion makes things easier. Just like traveling, shopping should not be complicated. It can be as simple as buying groceries from the new shopping mall in town.
Self-Love
There are awesome ways a senior can treat themselves such as getting a new haircut. A manicure or pedicure would be a bonus for anyone. Many spas offer massage these days and this is one of the best ways to relax on a weekend.
Crafting
Holiday seasons bring amazing ideas for DIY projects. There is so much to make especially for house decors. There are projects for every season: spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Planning Party
The winter season is particularly notorious at increasing the feeling of loneliness when one has to spend most of the time indoors. This is an ideal time for senior citizens to throw social parties. Coordinating a house party during the New Year’s Eve can help to keep off the stress of growing old. Even a simple get-together during Thanksgiving Day helps one to feel more productive.
Participating in a Good Course
It can be fun and humbling to visit the needy such as orphans in children’s homes. As long as the work of charity does not pose danger to the well-being of the elderly, it is always fulfilling since it offers a sense of purpose. Feeding the homeless and visiting the sick are the other good courses.
Conclusion
Too many depressed seniors do not recognize their state of depression. Rather, they hardly take the right steps to find the necessary help. There are various reasons why an elderly person overlooks depression. Sometimes, they assume that feeling low is a part of aging. Others hesitate to talk about how they feel and so they do not seek help.
An important thing that older adults need to know is that depression is not inevitable. Neither is it a character flaw or a weakness. It happens to all people, young or old. It does not matter the type of background or accomplishment one has. While there are many factors that trigger depression, they do not always have to put someone down. There are solutions to happiness and feeling hopeful during the golden years.
Family and friends should watch for changes in the mood and behavior of their elderly persons, particularly during the holidays. 
It is wrong to ignore any sign of depression in an aging parent. If their situation does not seem to improve, the best thing to do is take them to a doctor. A qualified practitioner will know whether what they are going through is more than just loneliness. Medical treatment can be used to reduce depressive signs. Another regimen is psychotherapy which is offered by a psychologist or psychiatrist. However, for these methods to work, the depressed individual must be willing to speak out their mind and convey their feelings.
It is imperative to give all the support that the senior person deserves so they can manage depression. Human interaction and constant communication with the aged can do wonders. This type of care is very possible with a good home care service in Boca Raton, and neighboring cities in Florida. Hiring a home care aide through Boca Home Cae Services, can not only help with light housekeeping, transportation, medication reminders, basic activities of daily living but above all, companionship.